Am I a vulnerable person from the supermarket's "special shopping hour" rule?

[frillyfarmer]

I'm an asthmatic, so classed in the Govt's "high risk" category. It's controlled with steroid inhaler and I consider myself to be a "mild" sufferer. I also have a 12 day old EBF baby who I would need to take to the shop with me due to the distance we live.

My original plan had been to do my shopping at 2/3am in a 24 hour store when baby was having one of her early morning wake ups, but apparently the supermarkets now aren't open 24hour?

I feel like a bit of a fraud impinging on the elderly's hour of shopping as I'm a 30year old otherwise fit and healthy adult. But at the same time I obviously need to bear in mind that I have a respiratory disease and I am vulnerable if I catch it.

Can I have some other opinions as to whether you think asthmatics fall into the vulnerable category of shopping?

Perhaps the supermarkets could request proof of receipt of DLA (like theatres, theme parks etc) for existing vulnerable under 70?

The problem is though, that many of us classed as high risk for this infection don't ordinarily claim benefits.

I usually work, now I'm part of the small group being "shielded". I don't have a benefit claim to prove my vulnerability

Are all supermarkets doing this? I’m aiming to get to a shop early tomorrow as we have no food after being in isolation!

Perhaps the supermarkets could request proof of receipt of DLA (like theatres, theme parks etc) for existing vulnerable under 70?

DH has been told by his employers that he can't come into work because he's vulnerable according to the list. He doesn't claim DLA.

My husband, son and daughter are all in vulnerable groups. We do not claim anything.

I have a vulnerable child (perm o2, underlying heart issues) and really could do without queuing for an hour amongst the germs to bring home to the 4 yo but I'm wary if going and being abused. It isn't as simple as only the old need help

I’m in my 60s with an underlying heart condition and was warned off going into my local Sainsbury’s by another 60+ this morning (I didn’t even know it was elderly hour). “It’s mayhem” he said. “I got rammed by a trolley three times.” Apparently the queues were half way down the aisles as well. I went back a bit later, it was quiet but the shelves were stripped, luckily not of the mouthwash and cat food I needed.

I would go, but ideally take something that proves your status, in case people get ratty with you.

Half of my family have asthma (including my mum & DH) - I don't class them as vulnerable and would be pretty appalled if they used the hour.

I have a child in receipt of DLA but he's not vulnerable to food shortages. Neither is having mild asthma

Possible types of evidence:

. Prescription charge exemption certificate (card)

. Letter from DWP re DLA / PIP / attendance allowance / carer's allowance

. Copy of prescription showing someone on meds for chronic condition e.g. inhalers, methotrexate

. Copy of hospital letter naming a chronic condition

It's all a bit intrusive though. And how are security staff meant to assess the info in seconds?

I'm tbh

Both me and my husband are in the vulnerable group.

I am 42 and fit and well. But vulnerable so be going early to avoid crowds. Not because I want anything special but because I don't want people breathing on me!

I'm physically disabled.
I'm also a single parent Carer to two kids with ASD.
I'm 15miles from a shop, so can't leave them at home whilst i go.
I'm fucked, aren't I? :(

(sorry, that wasnt v positive, feeling a bit doom-laden tonight!)

I'm asthmatic too, and my asthma sounds similar to yours. I personally wouldn't go. I'm classed as higher risk but haven't been able to 'socially distance' properly. My partner works for the NHS seeing patients and my children are at school and nursery. I am exposed to lots of germs. So I would worry about using one of those slots and potentially infecting others who are more vulnerable than me.

I would only use those slots if I was social distancing and therefore less likely to be carrying the virus myself.

@OldLace how old are the kids? Any local school Mom's who will do you a favour? Any small businesses still delivering?

And NHS staff, have you heard tesco love you early on a Sunday I think it is

My friend works in the nhs. She has asthma, diabetes and an elderly relative. She would fit the vulnerable person criteria yet she is still expected to work in a hospital. Unreal.

What's the point of having an hour for the elderly when every fucker feels entitled to crash.
THAT is the problem right there. Everyone's sense of entitlement.

Well controlled asthma? Pregnant? I'm 'fit and healthy' but.....

Nope, not what it was set up for.

I am fit and well because my asthma is well managed. But the one thing that triggers it is illness. So yes I feel vulnerable right now. And while the elderly are absolutely at risk they really aren't the only ones. My friend is in his 50s and has leukaemia. You wouldn't know to look at him. My aunt is 60. Has 1/3 of each lung removed from lung cancer (non smoker) and has some autoimmune disease that is attacking her liver. Fit and well to look at. My husband is a builder strong as an ox. Had high blood pressure and 2 stents fitted. My nieces FIL. Waiting for bypass surgery. 54 and looks 44, slim, healthy and active.

It's not about convenience or bagging the bog roll or avoiding queues. It's about avoiding other people that aren't at risk therefore aren't socially distancing themselves therefore reducing our risk.

I can't get a slot for online shopping. I can't shop at 5am anymore. I can't avoid food shopping. If there is a slot for vulnerable people, which I am and my husband is, I would absolutely want to take advantage of it. Not for the bog roll but to try and avoid a disease which is much more likely to make me seriously ill or kill me. Because if both me and my husband are in hospital together who is going to look after my kids? My mum cant cos my kids will be in isolation. Or my aunt. Or my friend.

In some supermarkets the baby under 3 months would classify you as vulnerable / at risk. It’s not just the people identified as high risk by the NHs

@Elieza team her to check out Tesco who are doing an early hour Sunday if she's off work

@abbey44 I really think you should make use of those early openings if you need to, I can’t believe anyone would think you shouldn’t

Did you see the young women trying to get into Sainsbury’s on the news when they had a slot for the older folks. The poor employee was trying to police it turned his back and it looked like she was about to run in. Those poor supermarkets being asked to police this.

It was an excellent idea but too many people are trying to take advantage. It's meant to be for the vulnerable people to shop, not their family or friends.

They can go at another time. It should be made more clear.

'Quite aside from the politics of getting a blue badge, not all disabled people need one. And re-reading your comment, I must pull you up on "kind of people" ... I'm sure you didn't mean to be othering. But you were.'

Oh don't be a dick. My son has a disability and no blue badge. I'm fully aware not all disabled people need one.